Exercise with co-existing health conditions

Getting enough exercise while living with diabetes can be a challenge in and of itself, but some people have other health conditions or physical limitations that make exercising that much more difficult. With any type of physical disability, you will need to alter the activity plan according to your capabilities.
If you are suffering from chronic joint pain or arthritis, there’s no reason why you still can’t exercise regularly. You just need to know what types of exercises are best for your condition.

A common complication of diabetes is nerve damage (diabetic peripheral neuropathy or DPN) which can lead to pain, numbness and tingling in the extremities. This can be challenging in terms of incorporating exercise, especially since it is important to avoid the development of foot ulcers. Some exercises are better than others, and it’s important to have properly fitting shoes.

According to the Hypertension Canada guidelines, people who have diabetes and high blood pressure should exercise for 30 to 60 minutes between four and seven days per week. The types of activities that are best for diabetes and high blood pressure are moderate-intensity aerobic exercises and resistance exercises.

It is important to discuss your conditions and/or limitations with your diabetes healthcare team so that you understand what will be safe for you.